PADANIYA - The time is always right to do what is right

Fifty-six years ago, on the 11th of July 1957, Mawlana Hazar Imam succeeded his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. In keeping with the 1 400-year old tradition of Muslim leadership, covering all interpretations of Islam, Mawlana Hazar Imam has guided his murids in matters of faith and worked tirelessly to improve the quality and security of their lives. This latter concern extends not only to the Ismailis but all those who share their lives – locally, nationally and internationally. Mawlana Hazar Imam's vision, as well as the Imamat's institutional capacity to catalyse human development, have been widely recognised by governments, international organisations and civil society institutions. Today, the Imamat’s privileged relationships with many of these enhance its capacity to contribute to human development on a global scale. Imamat Day is an occasion to reaffirm our allegiance a...

Ramadan Ramadan is the holy month in which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) received the first revelation of the Holy Qur’an. Together with other Muslims, the Ismailis celebrate Ramadan as a month of special felicity “in which the Holy Qur’an was sent down as a guide to humankind…” (Qur’an 2:184). In Muslim tradition, Ramadan is a time of heightened commitment to piety and purification through special observances such as fasting, the performance of good deeds — including charitable giving and voluntary service — and through personal sacrifices of material comforts. These observances lead to spiritual fulfilment and a sense of renewal. The fast of Ramadan is among the pillars of the faith: “O believers, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was for those who preceded you that you may be God-fearing” (Qur’an 2:185). Thus, the fast continues a practice which pre-dates Islam, and has been rendered more humane since religion is not intended to be a cause of ha...